Thread carrier



June 17, 1941. v. ANDERSON THREAD CARRIER Filed June 6, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR 7 ATTORNEYS,

June 17, 1941. ND ON 2,246,337

THREAD CARRIER Filed June 6, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR;

\fL IFL, QM

K LAMM vW ATTORNEYS.

Patented June 17, 1941 Victor Anderson,

Cliffside Park, N. J assignor to Alfred Hofmann & Company,

West New. York,

- N. J a corporation of New Jersey Application June 6, 1938, Serial No. 212,034

4 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in thread carriers and guides for hosiery knitting machines.

A thread carrier and guide of the character here involved, serves the purpose of leading the thread to the work and guiding it properly during the knitting of the stocking. The guide is in the form of a tube mounted at the lower end of the carrier and through which the thread passes, while immediately above the tube, the carrier is equipped with a hole or aperture to enable the thread to pass into the tube without interference. Above the aperture the carrier, is formed with a longitudinal groove for guiding the thread along the same. A standard thread carrier is usually split or formed with a slot at its lower end, to receive the guide tube which is soldered in place. These tubes are subjected to considerable wear'by the thread as it is guided along the work and consequently must be replaced from time to time as a Worn guide tube tends to retard the passage of the thread and cause breakage. The replacement of a guide tube, in addition to being time consuming, involves a high degree of care due to the fact that. the heat required for soldering a tube in place may and often does destroy the hardness characteristic thereof, thus rendering it unsuitable for service.

According to the present improvements the slot in the lower end of the thread carrier and which ordinarily accommodates the guide tube iseliminated and the carrier instead, drilled at this point to receive the tube. The guide tube is formed in its outer surface with a recess capable of taking various forms as hereinafter set forth, and adapted to receive a holding element with which the carrier is equipped. This holding element, in service, has a fixed position relative to the carrier so that in cooperating with the recess in the guide tube, it fixes the position of the latter with respect to the carrier. With a suitable tool, the holding element can be readily withdrawn from the recess in the guide tube, so that the latter can be either adjusted to anew position wherein wear has not occurred or replaced by a new tube. The improved arrangement greatly facilitates and expedites tube replacement and eliminates the possible destruction of the hardness characteristic of the tube since, of course, no heat is required.

Referring to the drawings,

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a carrier with its guide tube in place and equipped with the present improvements.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view, greatly enlarged, of a guide tube showing the manner in which the holding element cooperates with the recess there- 1n.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional View on line 3- 3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged transverse sectional view on line 44 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged elevational view of one form of tube with which the carrier can be equipped.

' Fig.6 is an elevational view of the tube shown in Fig. 5 but rotated about its axis through an angle of 90.

K Figs. 7 and 8 are enlarged elevational views of two other type of tubes with which the carrier can be equipp d. v

Fig. 9 is a front elevational view of a carrier with its associated guide tube andequipped with a different embodimentof the present improvements.

Fig; 10 is an enlarged elevational view of the tube with which the carrier of Fig. 9 is equipped and shown partly in section to depict the form 93* of recess with which it is provided.

Fig, 11 is an enlarged sectional view on line li -ll of Fig. 9.

Fig. 11 is an enlarged sectional view similar to Fig. 11, but showing a lightly different modido fication of the carrier.

Fig. 12 is a perspective view of. the holding element with which the carrier of Fig. 9 is equipped, nd.

Figs. 13 to 15 inclusive are perspective views of $53 different forms of holding elements which may be employed with the embodiment of the invention shown in Fig. 1.

The thread carrier A, as best illustrated in Figs. 1 and 4, is tapered at its opposite edges for reasons well known and formed with a centrally locatedlongitudinal groove A through which th thread passes downwardly, and into a guide tube B mounted in ahole A formed in the lower end of the carrier. The hole A is centrally located with respect to the carrier and extends longitudinally thereof from its lower end to an elongated aperture A with which the carrier is provided, The guide tube projects somewhat below the lower edge of the carrier in order that no interference will be presented to the thread as it is fed tothe work. The aperture A facilitates threading the guide tube and also permits an uninterrupted passage from the groove A to the tubular guide B since. a previously stated, the tube is located centrally of the carrier, to guide the thread or yarn. properly to position as the carrier is reciprocated to traverse the needle bank during loop formation.

The tubular guide B is tapered at its lower end. The bore of the tube follows the taper, except for a short distance near the end where it is cylindrical in shape. It has been found in practice that a tube with these characteristics is subjected to less wear by the thread. The tube just described is made by a swedging process. For this purpose, a mandrel having the shape of the finished bore is inserted in the guide tube from the top. The guide tube is then swedged until the inner surface conforms to the shape of the mandrel. It has been found that this process of forming the tubes prevents crimping and results in a very smooth and even surface in the cylindrical portion of the bore at the end of the tube. After the swedging action is completed, the mandrel, of course, is withdrawn and the tubes thereafter hardened.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 3, the carrier body A is formed with a groove A slightly offset from the carrier centerline and extending longitudinally from the lower end of the carrier to a point somewhat beyond the aperture A This groove is for the accommodation of a movable holding member C which in the embodiment under consideration is in the form of a latch and comprises a thin rod or wire suitably secured at its upper end in the groove A and bent at its lower end first toward the tube B and then at right angles thereto as at C where, as shown in Fig. 4, it passes through a hole A drilled in the carrier body from the front thereof to the rear, its end forming a finger or detent. When thetube holding member or latch C is in its active position the detent or end C thereof protrudes inwardly into an exterior recess or groove B formed in the wall of the guide tube B.

One form of groove or recess with which the tubes can be provided is shown in Figs. 2, 5 and 6. While this groove is shown so shallow as not to pass entirely through the wall of the tube it is nevertheless deep enough so that when the holding member is engaged therein it will effectually anchor or latch the tube against movement or displacement longitudinally in the way A in which it is detachably accommodated, and preferably also against rotation therein. The carrier body is shown completely enclosing the way A not being split as in certain prior devices. 'The recess B may be formed or cut to penetrate the guide wall without injury to the thread, as shown in another embodiment. Such recess is preferably a notch, and presents a shoulder or projection for the latching of the guide by the detent end of the holding member, which may be springy to assume holding position.

. The form of groove just mentioned is particularly applicable forthe type of tube shown in Figs. 5 and 6 which, it will be noticed, is beveled at its lower end as at B some of the tubes being thus formed because of the angle with which they meet the work. The recess B' can be so placed that it automatically locates the tube in its proper position with respect to the carrier, thus eliminating the necessity of making any critical adjustment that might otherwise be required properly to position the beveled portion.

With the foregoing arrangement it is apparent that the removal and the replacement of guide tubes are greatly expedited. Thus referring to Fig. 1, the end of a suitable tool can be inserted beneath the holding member and the latter raised to, say, the position shown in dot and dash lines in Fig. 3 in which position the end 0 of the holding member is out of engagement with the recess B in the tube so that the latter can be withdrawn. A new tube the hole A the recess 13 alined with the hole A in the carrier, and the holding member C re turned to its active position wherein the end C thereof will engage in the recess 13 of the replacement tube.

At this point it might be stated that the groove A is cut sufficiently deep to allow the holding member to lie beneath or at least flush with the top surface of the carrier A so as to present no interference to the movement of the carrier during the knitting operation.

In operation, the carriers reciprocate in a lateral direction so that the thread as it passes out of the end of the guide tube will extend from the tube first in one direction and then in a direction diametrically opposed thereto. Consequently the wear in the end of the guide tube caused by the traveling thread occurs at diametrically opposed points, the remaining portions of the tube being left intact. Thus, it is apparent that the life of the tube can be materially increased merely by rotating it about its axis through an angle of to present different portions of the tube in the path of the thread. Such an adjustment can be readily eifected by employing a tube of the type illustrated in Fig. 7. Here it will be observed that two notches B are cut in the side walls of the tube at the same point lengthwise thereof. but disposed at an angle of 90 each with respect to the other. Consequently when-the tube has completed its span of usefulness in one position, the holding member 0 can be withdrawn from the active recess, as in the case of a tube replacement, the tube rotated through an angle of 90, and the holding member returned to its active position, this time of course engaging the other recess in the tube. With this arrangement the tube is automatically positioned to present the unused or unworn portion of the lower end in contact with the thread as it passes from the tube. Of course this adjustment is only suitable for tubes that are devoid of beveled ends.

n Fig. 8, a tube has been illustrated equipped with an annular recess or notch B extending entirely around its surface. With this type of recess, the tube can be rotated about its axis to any position desired. The holding member C prevents longitudinal movement of this tube as in the case of the guide tube previously described.

Different forms of holding members may be employed in place of that illustrated in Fig. 1. For instance in Fig. 13 a holding member C is shown which is crimped at its upper end as at C so that upon being pressed into the groove A in the carrier, the upsetting of the metal will securely anchor the member in place.

In Fig. 14 a holding member C is shown, the main portion or stem of which is bowed laterally. When this member isinserted in the straight groove of the carrier its tendency to resist deformation will securely hold it in place.

In Fig. 15 a holding member C is shown which is formed at its upper end with a portion 0 bent at right angles to the stem for insertion in a hole (not shown) but which can be drilled through the carrier in the base of the groove A and near the upper end of the latter.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in Figs. 9, 10 and 11, the thread carrier A and the guide tube B are the same as before, the diifercan then be inserted in ence being in the holding device and the recess in the tube with which it cooperates. Here the carrier is formed with a groove D to accommodate a holding member E, the groove terminating somewhat inwardly from the lower end of the carrier and being enlarged laterally in its lower portion. The holding member E comprises a resilient stem or body portion secured at oneend in the narrower portion of the groove D and formed at its other end with'a portion E" bent at right angles to the stem portion (Fig. 12) and terminating in a blunt nose adapted to engage ina truncated recess F formed in the side wall of the guide tube B (see Fig. The blunt portion of the holding member in cooperation with the beveled or countersunk sides of the truncated recess will act automatically to locate the guide tube in its proper position with respect to the carrier. While it is not essential that the recess F in the guide tube open through the inner wall of the latter, the fact that it does will present no difficulty or interference to the proper passage of the thread since, as shown in Fig. 11, the engagement of the holding member E with the walls of the recess F prevents the projection of the holding member beyond the inner wall of the tube.

In order to remove and replace a tube in this embodiment of the invention, it is necessary only to move the holding member at its lower end laterally through a distance suflicient to permit the blunt end of the bent portion E to stand clear of the tube. This is permitted by virtue of the larger width of the recess D at its lower end as shown in Figs. 9 and 11 and can be accomplished by inserting the end of a sharply pointed tool between the holding member and the flat wall of the recess D, i. e., the wall nearer the tube B. In order to maintain the holding member in its inactive position during the removal and replacement operations a hole D is provided in the carrier partly beneath and partly offset from the holding member E and into which the sharp end of the tool can be inserted to urge the holding member to its inactive position, After a new tube has been replaced in the carrier, the tool is withdrawn whereupon the holding member E, i

will spring back into position and engage in the recess F of the new tube. The resiliency of the holding member is such as to prevent both longitudinal and rotational movement of the guide tube B under normal usage of the device. It will be observed (see Fig. 11) that the holding member in this embodiment of the invention is located somewhat below the surface of the carrier since it must act in a plane passing through the longitudinal axis of the guide tube.

While only one recess F has been shown in the tube illustrated in Fig. 10, it is obvious that more than one recess could be provided so as to permit rotational adjustment of the guide tube B to different positions as wear in one position occurs, thus obtaining the maximum possible service from the guide tube. Indeed the number of recesses that could be employed in a given tube is limited only by the relative dimensions of the recess and the tube.

A slightly different modification of the carrier shown in Figs. 9, l0 and 11 is illustrated in Fig. 11 The carrier A and the tube B with its recess F are the same as before, as is also the holding member E. The carrier is equipped with a recess G, similar to the recess D shown in Fig. 11, except that it is somewhat shallower and, instead of being open and extending to the tube B to accommo'date the bent end of the holding member E1. theflmember A is drilled at a slight incline from the right face of the groove G toward the tube B for the same purpose, 1. e., to accommodate said bent end of the holding member, This embodiment of the carrier is likewise formed with a hole D into which a tool can be projected to facilitate withdrawing the holding member E from the tube B during the removal of the latter.

It will be understood that the principles herein set forth may be employed with guide tubes other than of thecharacter herein disclosed. For instance one well known type of guide tube is in the form of a spring, the convolutions of which abut one against the other. While such convolutions are in engaging relation, there nevertheless are grooves located between such convolutionsand such grooves can be employed in association with one of the different holding members herein disclosed to locate and anchor such a guide tube properly in the carrier.

In the accompanying drawings, the invention has been shown merely by way of example and in its preferred forms and obviously many variatioi'is and modifications may be made therein which willstill be comprised within its spirit. It is to be understood therefore that the invention is not limited to any specific form or embodiment, except insofar as such limitations are specified in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a thread carrier for fiat knitting machines wherein the carrier body has a rigid lower or thread delivering extremity formed with a longitudinal way adapted to accommodate a removable and replaceable thread guiding tube, the combination therewith of the thread tube removably engageable in said way, and a cooperating fastener device mounted on the body for holding the tube securely in position in the way, said tube being cylindrical and having an exterior transverse notch at an intermediate part of its length, and said fastener being movably mounted on the body and having a portion adapted to engage the tube at one side only by entering said intermediate notch of the tube, thereby to prevent longitudinal displacement of the tube in the way, and being retractible at will to release the tube for removal thereof, wherein the tube notch is confined to one side of the tube whereby the fastener prevents rotary as well as longitudinal displacement, and there being a second such notch at another side whereby the tube may be set in either of two positions.

2. In a thread carrier for flat knitting machines wherein the carrier body at its lower or thread delivering extremity is formed with a longitudinal way or bore to accommodate a removable and replaceable thread guiding tube, and with a recess lateral to an intermediate portion of the length of the way, the combination therewith of the thread tube removably engageable in the said way, and a cooperating fastener device mounted on the body for holding the tube securely in position in the way, said tube having an exterior shoulder or notch at an intermediate part of its length exposed within the lateral recess of the body, and said fastener being movably mounted on the body and having a portion adapted to extend into said lateral recess and there to make holding engagement with said intermediate shoulder of the tube, thereby to prevent displacement of the tube in the way, wherein the tube shoulder is confined to one side of the tube, whereby the fastener prevents both longitudinal and rotary displacement, and there being a second such notch at another side whereby the tube may be set in either of two positions.

3. In a thread carrier for flat knitting machines wherein the carrier body at its lower or thread delivering extremity is formed with a longitudinal way or bore to accommodate a removable and replaceable thread guiding tube, the combination therewith of the thread tube removably engageable in the said way, and a cooperating fastener device mounted on the body for holding the tube securely in position in the way, said tube having an exterior notch at an intermediate part of its length, said body having a recess giving access to said tube notch, and said fastener being movably mounted to extend into said recess of the body and having a portion adapted to make holding engagement with said intermediate notch of the tube, thereby to prevent displacement of the tube in the way, and said fastener being so arranged that when in position it is locked against yielding to displacement of the tube, but is retractible at will to remove the tube, wherein the tube notch is confined to one side of the tube whereby the fastener prevents rotary as well as longitudinal displacement, and there being a second such notch at another side whereby the tube may be set in either of two positions.

4. In a thread carrier for flat knitting machines wherein the carrier body at its lower or thread delivering extremity is formed with a longitudinal way for the normal free passage therethrough of a removable and replaceable thread guiding cylindrical tube, and with a recess lateral to an intermediate portion of the length of the way, the combination therewith of a thread tube removably engageable in said way, and a cooperating fastener device mounted on the body for holding the tube securely in position in the way, said tube having a plurality of exterior notches at an intermediate part of its length, each adapted to be selectively exposed within the lateral recess of the body, and said fastener device being movably mounted on the body and having a portion adapted to extend into said lateral recess to make selective holding engagement with the exterior notches of the tube, thereby to prevent longitudinal displacement of the tube in the way and to provide circumferential adjustments of the tube.

VICTOR ANDERSON. 

